MOUNT VERNON — Residents have reported at least seven dead crows in the past week and the Skagit County Health Department is asking anyone who finds more dead adult crows to report them.

“At this point, we don’t have enough information to know what caused these incidents,” said police Lt. Chris Cammock in an e-mail to the Skagit Valley Herald.

The first dead crow was reported to the Health Department early this week on 15th Street in Mount Vernon, Cammock said.

Thursday morning a resident on South 3rd Street reported to police another dead crow on the sidewalk, Cammock said.

Since both birds were beneath power lines, officials were not immediately concerned because electrical shock is a common cause of bird deaths, Cammock said.

Also, birds, especially young ones, can be killed by passing cars or lack of nourishment, he said.

However, officials became concerned later Thursday when on another resident on Evergreen Street near North 4th Street reported seeing three to four dead crows in the area.

Police are asking that residents report when they see dead adult crows that appear to have been dead less than 24 hours. Testing can only be conducted on birds who have died recently, Cammock said.

Cammock said the cause of the birds’ deaths is unknown and will be the subject of testing.

Cammock recommended a safe procedure for disposing of dead birds:

• Wear rubber gloves.
• Wrap the carcass using two plastic bags.
• Make sure the bag is wrapped tight and secure.
• Dispose of the bird in a regular trash can.

For the Health Department call 360-336-9380.